President & CEO, United Way of York County
About United Way of York County
United Way of York County (UWYC) has served the community for more than 100 years. As the organization enters its second century, it is evolving its approach to meet the most pressing needs facing York County today - grounded in a renewed commitment to collaboration, community leadership, and sustainable impact.
UWYC’s mission is to assist working households on their journey toward financial stability by collaboratively and equitably reducing barriers to prosperity. This work cannot be achieved by any one organization alone. UWYC plays a critical role as a convener, connector, and catalyst—bringing together nonprofit partners, funders, businesses, and public leaders to align efforts and drive meaningful, community-wide change.
Through extensive community engagement, UWYC has sharpened its focus on a defining challenge: working households struggling to meet basic needs. In York County, 1 in 4 households fall into this category—families who are employed, often working multiple jobs, yet still unable to consistently cover essential expenses. Many fall into the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), living one unexpected expense away from financial instability.
In response, UWYC is leading a coordinated, community-wide strategy to address these challenges at scale and is currently focused on supporting initiatives in early childhood, transportation and financial security. The organization is convening partners across sectors to ensure efforts are aligned, duplication is minimized, successful programs are expanded, and critical gaps in services are addressed. The organization is also closely tied to the larger United Way network operating both regionally and nationally and both benefits from, and contributes to, best practice within that network.
Central to UWYC’s impact is its ability to mobilize resources and inspire investment in the community. By strengthening and evolving its fundraising model, UWYC is building a more diverse, sustainable, and growth-oriented revenue base to support long-term impact.
At its core, UWYC believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve a good quality of life, and that communities are strongest when all residents have the resources and support they need to succeed.
Learn more about UWYC at https://www.unitedway-york.org/.
The Opportunity
At this key moment in the organization’s history, United Way of York County (UWYC) is seeking an inspirational, community-rooted, and strategically disciplined leader to serve as its next President & Chief Executive Officer.
With a sharpened focus on advancing economic mobility, UWYC is well-positioned for its next chapter. Building on a strengthened leadership team, renewed clarity of purpose, and a defined strategic plan, the next President & CEO will play a critical role in accelerating progress and deepening impact across the region.
This leader will work closely with the Board of Directors to implement UWYC’s strategic plan, translating vision into clear, measurable priorities and driving execution with urgency and accountability. At the same time, they will serve as a visible and trusted community leader—advocating for collaborative, cross-sector solutions to the challenges facing working families in York County.
The President & CEO will provide leadership across all areas of UWYC, including fundraising, community engagement, strategic execution, operations, financial performance, and talent development. As a respected community influencer, they will help position UWYC as the community’s partner of choice—deepening relationships across the nonprofit, business, philanthropic, and public sectors while strengthening the organization’s visibility, credibility, and long-term sustainability.
A central priority for the next President & CEO will be translating UWYC’s strategic focus on ALICE households into broad-based community engagement and fundraising success. The organization has built strong momentum around its mission and focus areas, and the next leader will have the opportunity to build on that foundation by expanding revenue streams, strengthening leadership giving, engaging new donors and corporate partners, and leveraging the power of volunteers and community ambassadors to drive greater impact.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a well-respected organization at a moment of renewed purpose and momentum—one that is deeply committed to driving meaningful, measurable change for working families across York County. The next President & CEO will inherit a strong team, an engaged Board, and a community increasingly focused on economic mobility and financial stability. They will have the opportunity to shape the future of UWYC while elevating the organization’s stature as a premier nonprofit and trusted community convener across the region.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Strategic Leader
The President & CEO will be a thoughtful and values-driven leader who is driving toward the larger possibilities for the organization while prioritizing people, culture, and organizational health. They will be both entrepreneurial and disciplined, able to balance long-term vision with near-term execution. They will bring demonstrated experience leading organizations and teams through periods of change, with the ability to translate strategic priorities into clear, actionable plans that drive measurable results. This leader will ensure that day-to-day operations are aligned with the organization’s broader vision while remaining nimble and responsive to emerging community needs and opportunities.
The President & CEO will serve as a trusted thought partner to the Board of Directors, cultivating strong relationships grounded in transparency, integrity, and open communication. They will provide clear, consistent updates on performance, challenges, and opportunities, enabling effective governance and informed decision-making. This person works collaboratively with the Board to set strategy, navigate complexity, and uphold accountability for results, while engaging board members as active ambassadors, storytellers, and supporters of the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts.
Fundraising Strategy, Revenue Growth & Philanthropic Innovation
The President & CEO will be a proven and strategic fundraising leader with a track record of securing major gifts and driving sustainable revenue growth. Fundraising leadership is essential for success in this role, as the organization seeks to build upon its strategic momentum while addressing shifts in traditional workplace giving and evolving donor expectations. Prior experience in a leadership role in fundraising or fund development will be considered a plus.
The President & CEO will oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes major gifts, workplace and non-workplace giving, foundation and government grants, leadership campaigns, corporate partnerships, and innovative revenue streams. This leader will bring energy, discipline, and creativity to expanding UWYC’s donor base, strengthening stewardship practices, and increasing engagement among emerging and next-generation donors.
The successful candidate will also understand how to effectively leverage board members, volunteers, and community advocates to expand relationships and fundraising reach. They will foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization and inspire confidence among donors, partners, and community leaders through strong relationship-building and compelling communication.
Team Leadership & Impact Focus
The President & CEO will have demonstrated success building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable work environment. The successful candidate will value collaboration and open communication, fostering a culture grounded in trust, accountability, humility, and shared purpose. They will recognize the talents and expertise on the team and provide leadership and support that allows everyone to shine. With an eye toward organizational strength, they will provide growth opportunities for the team, support staff through periods of change with clarity and empathy, and create an environment where individuals feel valued, empowered, and connected to the mission.
This individual will be highly data-informed, leveraging metrics, performance indicators, and community insights to guide decision-making and assess impact. Building evaluation into every step of the work, they will be able to closely track progress towards goals and be focused on demonstrating and communicating the impact of the organization’s strategy on the community at large.
External Ambassador & Strategic Partner
The President & CEO will be a charismatic, authentic communicator with strong executive presence and the ability to serve as a visible and credible spokesperson for the organization. Skilled at translating complex strategies and community impact into compelling narratives, this leader will inspire engagement, partnership, and investment from a wide range of audiences.
The successful candidate will elevate UWYC’s brand and reputation by clearly articulating the organization’s mission, impact, and vision for the future. They will serve as both an ambassador and advocate for the community, helping stakeholders better understand the realities facing ALICE households and why UWYC’s work matters now more than ever.
This individual will understand the importance of community connection and cultural fit within York County. Whether coming from within the region or outside of it, the successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine commitment to the community. They will bring humility, authenticity, and a relationship-driven leadership style that resonates across the community and builds trust quickly.
Passion for the Mission
The right candidate will be passionately aligned with United Way of York County’s mission and energized by its focus on advancing economic mobility for working households. The President & CEO will bring a strong understanding of the systemic barriers impacting ALICE families and a deep commitment to addressing inequities through collaborative, community-centered solutions.
This leader is an empathetic and informed advocate who listens to and amplifies the voices of the community. They champion equity and inclusion both internally and externally, ensuring that UWYC’s strategies, partnerships, and programs reflect and support the diverse needs of the populations it serves.
The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to help UWYC continue building momentum and expanding its impact across York County. They will embrace the responsibility of leading an organization that aspires not only to provide support, but also to serve as a trusted leader and catalyst for lasting community change.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $190,000 - $220,000 with a generous benefits package that includes a variable pay component. The exact salary that will be offered to the President & CEO will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills and experience and aligned with UWYC’s compensation policies.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy and Christy Farrell. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.